KPIPA Expands Export Opportunities for Korean Children's Books at Shanghai Fair

KPIPA, the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea, is expanding export opportunities for Korean children's books at the 2026 China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair (CCBF). The fair, which runs from November 13 to 15, will host the Korea Rights Center, operated by KPIPA, to facilitate the sale of international rights to Korean children's books.

The Korea Rights Center, a 90-square-meter space at Booth 3B02 in the Copyright Zone of Hall 1, will serve as a hub for one-on-one rights meetings with international publishers and agencies. Ten Korean publishers will exhibit in person, while the center will showcase 100 titles consigned by 40 additional publishers who are unable to attend. This arrangement allows international publishing professionals to discover and discuss rights to leading titles from both groups.

The center will feature a diverse range of children's books, including picture books and titles that explore the environment and ecology, science and general knowledge, and children's emotions and relationships. Among the highlights are "If You Want to Eat a Red Apple," a picture book written by Jin Joo and photographed by Lee Ga-hee, which won the 2025 BolognaRagazzi Award in the Opera Prima category. Another featured title, "Star Papa" by Han Dam-hee, is the picture book behind the winning entry in the Crossmedia Projects category at the 2025 BolognaRagazzi CrossMedia Awards. Other notable titles include "The Heart Bowl" by Jeon Bora, which received a 2026 BolognaRagazzi Special Mention in Opera Prima, and "Moving Away" by Lee Ji-yeon, which received a 2023 BolognaRagazzi Special Mention in Fiction.

KPIPA President Kim Seung-su emphasized the importance of the Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair as a platform for Korean children's publishers to connect with rights buyers in China and other Asian markets.

The fair, dedicated to publishing for children and young adults, spans a wide range of content, including picture books, nonfiction, educational titles, literature, and other content for young readers. This breadth gives CCBF a distinct profile alongside the London and Frankfurt book fairs, which serve the publishing industry as a whole, and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, which is especially known for picture books and illustration.

By participating in CCBF, KPIPA is extending its support for Korean publishers at international book fairs to Asia, building on its work in London, Bologna, and Frankfurt. The fair provides a forum for publishing professionals from across Asia and around the world to exchange ideas and build business relationships.